Buying parts from USA, for UK is customs an issue?

[Steve636]

I bought a Burris scope and Signature rings from US, paid VAT and 3% import duty and saved myself £300 30 yrs ago.

 

[Oldtime]

Unfortunately, there are "thieves" in customs in every country. I'm sure if they see something interesting, it can mysteriously disappear. But if the sender does not put anything questionable on the customs forms, they typically don't have cause to open/search the package. The words airguns, guns, firearms, etc don't appear anywhere on our labels. Maybe that's why we get more packages through. In 2025, I had 2 shipments that didn't get through customs, one to France and one to Mexico. They were both unopened and were refused because "they did not meet customs standards". I cannot get any more detailed information on that statement from postal or customs officials. Luckily, both shipments were returned to me and it only took 9-10 months!

What would you suggest to write on the label of a package containing airgun parts??

 

[Andy from Sandy]

My own experience of doing personal imports from America is our Customs seem to always make sure to charge VAT which is on the total paid including the postage cost where as stuff I have had coming in from the East mostly get an easier ride.

 

[3595wilk]

I bought a Burris scope and Signature rings from US, paid VAT and 3% import duty and saved myself £300 30 yrs ago.

Scopes nowadays are covered by ITAR/EAR and are difficult to import. Can be done, but you need a lot of paperwork. Many companies just don't bother as its too.muchof a hassle.

 

[Nogger32]

Very interesting thread.
What would be the likelihood of getting a .25 barrel and pellet probe from the US?

 

[Steve636]

Scopes nowadays are covered by ITAR/EAR and are difficult to import. Can be done, but you need a lot of paperwork. Many companies just don't bother as its too.muchof a hassle.

Why would they make importing a scope so difficult, not exactly hi-tech military hardware (made in China LOL).

 

[Oldtime]

Very interesting thread.
What would be the likelihood of getting a .25 barrel and pellet probe from the US?

Should be ok is the seller makes clear it is for a "low powered airgun" and NOT a firearm [Yes i know perfectly well]

 

[JGAirguns]

What would you suggest to write on the label of a package containing airgun parts??

It depends on what you are purchasing. For parts like barrels, I always list them as metal tube or pipe. They don't require that you list what it is used for. Things like bb can be listed as ball bearings, triggers are listed as metal or plastic handles. You get the idea. We don't carry a lot of scopes and I've never actually shipped on internationally. But that one is defintely more challenging. At JGAirguns, our label lists JGA as the company name so it doesn't draw any attention. We never mention airguns, firearms, manufacturer names (like saying Webley trigger for MKIII). We try to keep it very general on the outside of the package. You also have to keep in mind that if a 12" barrel is listed as metal tube and packaged in a bubble envelope and customs "feels" it, they might xray and see exactly what it is. So nothing is foolproof. I never have any trouble getting parts into UK, though.

 

[JGAirguns]

I'm sorry for the delayed response, business has been crazy lately. I have never had a problem shipping grips to UK. They are listed on customs forms as plastic or wood handles and shipped in a 4"x4"x4 box with plenty of padding. With no info about guns on the paperwork or packaging, there is nothing to flag interest from customs. We put as little information as possible on the paperwork because it is not required. I wouldn't need to say that these are plastic or wood grip handles for an airgun. That's way too much info!

 

[JGAirguns]

A little more info... when shipping actual airguns, it's best to take them apart and send in 2-3 separate shipments, listing parts individually as metal tube for barrel and wood handle for stock. We specialize in parts and don't ship a lot of actual/complete guns, but this is the method that I've used in the past. Of course, shipping multiple boxes adds to cost and you may have to pay for disassembly/reassembly, etc so that's a personal choice if it is worth the extra cost.

 

[Oldtime]

A little more info... when shipping actual airguns, it's best to take them apart and send in 2-3 separate shipments, listing parts individually as metal tube for barrel and wood handle for stock. We specialize in parts and don't ship a lot of actual/complete guns, but this is the method that I've used in the past. Of course, shipping multiple boxes adds to cost and you may have to pay for disassembly/reassembly, etc so that's a personal choice if it is worth the extra cost.

I was going to send off for some Crosman 2240 grip frames..

In the end i did not, as i knew that if they were going on a plane, they would most likely be x-rayed, and when they saw something that looked very much like a pistol, they would be destroyed.

I just assumed that dim witted power mad border force clowns, would neither know nor care that air pistols are allowed here..

 

[The tankster]

I was going to send off for some Crosman 2240 grip frames..

In the end i did not, as i knew that if they were going on a plane, they would most likely be x-rayed, and when they saw something that looked very much like a pistol, they would be destroyed.

I just assumed that dim witted power mad border force clowns, would neither know nor care that air pistols are allowed here..

M8 I get grips from Russia sent over put on the forms as grips

 

[The tankster]

M8 I get grips from Russia sent over put on the forms as grips

 

[JGAirguns]

It's a risky business and you have to weigh the pros and cons! If they are "antiques" and maybe the last one we have available, that's a big risk. But if we have dozens and one shipment gets hijacked... well, insurance will cover the loss and you could try again. Honestly, we rarely have issues with European customs. The shipment may be slow to be delivered but rarely lost or stolen. Maybe once a year out of 10s of 1000s of orders. South America, it's about a 50/50 shot it gets stopped at the border. Metal grip frame would just be listed on paperwork as metal handle or metal frame.

 

[JGAirguns]

M8 I get grips from Russia sent over put on the forms as grips

Opened by customs but delivered in good condition??

 

[The tankster]

Opened by customs but delivered in good condition??

Yes they were perfect, unlike the 3 that just went missing but I guess someone at BF goes shooting

 

[JGAirguns]

Wow, very nice. If someone didn't know what they were looking at, they would think it was an art sculpture. So odds of getting grips into UK from Russia is 25%!

 

[The tankster]

Yes basically , then you have postage and customs fees , hence the high price but the quality is outstanding also , that’s why you don’t see any one selling them on

 

[JGAirguns]

Very impressive. You may have stumbled on something that might have a good market in UK. Have you thought about purchase higher volumes and selling them? Beautiful.

 

[The tankster]

They do have a good following Edgun west once bought 500 grips sold them for $250 , they are tremendous in your hand also fit any AR platform